Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

The Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe is a traditional mountneer's piolet that is built from innovative lightweight, aircraft aluminum alloy for high strength and reliable performance. This Black Diamond axe also features a one-piece stainless steel head with a large hole for a carbiner, and a pick engineered with a curve and teeth for secure self-arresting. Classic design and modern materials - a magical combination. Yukon Cornelius will for sure be trading up to the Black Diamond Raven.

Let's face it, it's not doing any ice climbing but I brought a pair to go up Mt. Whitney and it pretty much saved us. I used this axe to brake through the frozen lake to gain access to much needed water. I haven't had to use it to self-arrest from a nasty slide, but from what I can feel, it should perform fine. I'm going to put some grip-tape on the base to add some traction in my hands but it's a damn fine axe for the price.

I bought this for Winter Mountaineering School and used it learning various techniques. It held up really well while practicing self-arrest and is generally a sturdy but not too heavy axe. I now carry it regularly on my winter peak ascents. It comes in a variety of sizes to suit different users, and because it is fairly popular it is easy to get accessories such as spike protectors. I think this is a great axe for many mountaineering applications and for its price point.

Do not bother thinking to much about which ice axe to purchace, those which are straight are all the same (weight difference), some can be more versatile (bent one). Just be careful with the length and you're good to self arrest/ use it as a more sturdy pole

You need to have confidence in your tools and a flimsy lightweight ice ax does not instill confidence in me. When I need to self arrest and/or set up a pulley rescue system this is strong and heavy enough to stop, dig and hold; yet light enough to carry all day. What else do you buy an ice ax for?

Call me old school, but I believe an ice axe is the last place to try to save weight. You want something strong and burly. If you want to cut ounces, go for a jog and lose the love handles.The Raven is perfect for self belay and self arrest. Make you get it long enough - if you need something shorter, get a more technical axe like the BD Venom.And after all my harping about weight, the difference between this and the pro model actually isn't all that much. It is still very lightweight. It's not a pain to carry on a long climb. I find it to be the perfect weight for chopping steps, for example, but I wouldn't want it any lighter.What really sets the Raven and the Raven pro apart from the others? In the end, it's the comfort in your hand. It's vastly more comfortable than most Grivel or Petzl axes. It is easy to get a good grip on this thing when your life depends on it.

How much can you say about an ice axe? Well, I guess you could find a lot of things to complain about, but there is not much with this one. I really appreciate all of the places to clip a biner to (Spike, adze, head), allowing for a bunch of different options.The adze on this axe kicks ass, and chops step like its its job (wait a minute...).The head is really, really, unreasonably comfy for self-arrest position and is nice for the euro way too (I don't get why they do it the other way. What's the point?).I only wish it was lighter but I appreciate having an ice axe that will last for life.

I have done most of my climbing in the Teton range and this is a perfect ice axe for me. It's well constructed and fairly lightweight. The adze cuts well and the pick digs in quickly. There are eyelets on each end to thread a climbing rope for belaying and other operations. You can find instructions online for measuring to get your size. I ended up finding a sizing chart and picked the middle size for my height. If you're more of a hiker, go on the long side. If you're more of a technical climber, the short side.

II recently purchased the raven 90 cm ice ax from moose jaw .com I am 6 ft I i use it on all hikes I prefer it to hiking poles better stability much stronger wont break it has saved me from bad falls when carrying a back pack it is great to climb up cliffs it is great to grab berry bushs lot here on vancouver island and makes a excellent anchor when you have your tent perched on a mountain top we canadians all carry one cheers the mountain man ncnossen@hotmail.com

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